Flag football is a variant of American football where players wear flags that hang along their sides by a belt instead of tackling players to the ground. The defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier ("deflagging") to end a down. The sport has a strong amateur following with several national and international competitions each year sponsored by various associations but is most popularly played in America where it was invented. A flag variant of Canadian football also exists.
In flag football, contact is limited between players. The most important rule in flag football is that there’s no contact allowed, including tackling, diving, blocking, screening, or fumbles. Instead of physically tackling an opponent to the ground, players wear flags that hang along their sides by a belt. Defenders “tackle” the ball-carrier by removing one or both of their flags.
A flag football field is shorter than a standard tackle field at 30 yards wide and 70 yards long, with two 10-yard end zones and a midfield line-to-gain. To prevent power football in tight spaces, no run zones are located 5 yards before the end zone and on each side of the midfield line-to-gain. If the ball is spotted on or inside the no run zone, the offense must use a pass play to get a first down or touchdown.
The international governing body for the sport is the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). In 2022, flag football was shortlisted as a proposed discretionary event for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Flag football is a non-contact form of American football. Each team has five players, and the format prioritizes speed, creativity, and athleticism. Every game begins with a coin toss to determine which team will start with the ball. Games feature 15-to-25-minute halves, depending on the league, and the clock only stops for injuries, halftime, and timeouts (each team has one 60-second timeout per half). If the offense crosses midfield, they have three plays to score a touchdown. The rules of flag football only differ slightly from tackle football when it comes to scoring: a touchdown is six points, a safety is two, and teams can opt to try either a one-point conversion from the five-yard line or a two-point conversion from the 10-yard line after scoring a touchdown.
Flag football is a fast-growing, inclusive game that helps boys and girls of all ages learn the game, stay active, and develop confidence, teamwork, and other life skills. It is a great sport for both boys and girls of all ages – even the younger ones. There are no height or weight restrictions, making it a game everybody can play. Flag supports all skill levels and sports priorities – from fun competition to learning the fundamentals of football to prepare for a transition into tackle. It encourages physical activity and healthy movement, ensuring your child spends quality time away from the screen. It provides a natural entry point into the world of football, creating opportunities for your child to learn, engage and grow with the sport.
